01Weather
Rio de Janeiro weather in December
Afternoons in December average 29.5 °C (85 °F) and nights cool to 23.0 °C (73 °F). Compared with November it is 1.8 °C warmer; January is 1.5 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical December | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 33 °C / 92 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 26 °C / 78 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 21 °C / 70 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 13.9 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.0 | frost mornings per month |
| Hottest / coldest December day 2016–2025 | 35.6 °C / 18.0 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 December | 04:58 | 18:24 | 13.4 h |
| 15 December | 05:02 | 18:33 | 13.5 h |
| 31 December | 05:10 | 18:41 | 13.5 h |
Daylight grows by about 6 minutes over the month. Times are local (America/Sao_Paulo).
03Crowds
How busy Rio de Janeiro is in December
very busy The main sights are very busy in December. What drives it:
- Réveillon on Copacabana
- summer begins
- Christmas
04Public holidays
Public holidays in December 2026
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Rio de Janeiro in December
Every year in December
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Réveillon | 31 December, Copacabana Beach fireworks, dress in white | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Rio de Janeiro in December
- light, breathable clothing
- sun hat and sunscreen
- refillable water bottle
- a compact umbrella for occasional showers
- something for heat: 14 days a month pass 30 °C on average
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
December is summer, hot and stormy, with afternoons around 31 °C and rain on about twelve days, Christmas and Réveillon on 31 December, when two million people in white pack Copacabana for the fireworks and the hotels along the beach charge their highest rates of the year with minimum stays. The final week is the most expensive. Early December is still manageable, with the beaches warming up. The sea reaches 25 °C.
The Lagoa Christmas tree, when it floats, is lit in early December. Christmas Eve is a family dinner at midnight; the 25th is quiet. The blocos begin their pre-Carnival street rehearsals in the last days of the month. Daylight runs from about five in the morning to half past six. For high summer and the São Sebastião feast, see January.
09Compare
Rio de Janeiro month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 31 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| February | 31 °C | 24 °C | – | – | very busy | Mixed |
| March | 31 °C | 23 °C | – | – | busy | Good |
| April | 29 °C | 21 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| May | 28 °C | 19 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| June | 27 °C | 18 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 26 °C | 17 °C | – | – | busy | Excellent |
| August | 26 °C | 18 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| September | 27 °C | 20 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| October | 27 °C | 21 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| November | 28 °C | 22 °C | – | – | moderate | Excellent |
| December | 30 °C | 23 °C | – | – | very busy | Good |
Not sure about December? See the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro.
10Elsewhere
December in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires in December | 28 °C | 9 |
| Miami in December | 26 °C | 6 |
| Cancún in December | 28 °C | – |
| Orlando in December | 23 °C | 2 |
| Lisbon in December | 16 °C | 9 |
| New York City in December | 8 °C | 10 |
11FAQ
Rio de Janeiro in December: your questions
Is December a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
December is a good month to visit Rio de Janeiro. Daytime highs average 30 °C (85 °F), and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are very busy.
What is the weather like in Rio de Janeiro in December?
Expect warm days around 30 °C (85 °F) and nights near 23 °C (73 °F). One December in ten brings afternoons above 33 °C, and one in ten stays below 26 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in December?
December in Rio de Janeiro, by the 1991–2020 station normals.
What should I wear in Rio de Janeiro in December?
Pack light, breathable clothing, sun hat and sunscreen, refillable water bottle.
Is Rio de Janeiro crowded in December?
The main sights are very busy in December. Main drivers: Réveillon on Copacabana; summer begins; Christmas.
What time does it get dark in Rio de Janeiro in December?
Around the middle of December the sun sets at about 18:33 and rises at 05:02, giving 13.5 hours of daylight.